Witnesses say new wave of student arrests hits Iran
A new wave of arrests targeting protesting students has taken place in several Iranian cities including Borujerd, Izeh and Rafsanjan, according to messages sent to Iran International.
Among those detained is 17-year-old Arian Movafaghi, who faces the charge of “moharebeh,” or waging war against God. The Borujerd teenager took part in protests on January 8 and was arrested at his home on January 14. He has since been transferred to Khorramabad prison.
A resident of Rafsanjan told Iran International that a 15-year-old student was detained for defending Pahlavi at school. The teenager was held for two days and has remained silent since his release.
In Izeh, south of Iran, Basij forces went to a public boys’ school in recent days and took at least two students with them, according to the messages.
There are no confirmed figures on the number of children and teenagers detained. The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations previously said that 200 students were killed by security forces during the recent protests.
